April 24, 2026 After years working in the medical field, Quinn Thomas realized her career no longer inspired her. Long days left her feeling drained rather than fulfilled, and she struggled to find a sense of direction. When she stepped away from her job to help care for her ill father, Thomas had time to reflect on what she truly wanted for her future. She realized she wasn’t pursuing work that brought her joy — and she was ready to change that. A Life-Changing Decision One afternoon, while going about her usual routine, Thomas couldn’t stop thinking about her love for culinary arts. During some of the hardest moments in her life, baking and cooking for friends had brought her a sense of peace. She decided it was time to pursue that passion and turn what once felt like a distant dream into a reality. While researching culinary programs, Thomas discovered the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). She immediately knew she found the right place. Living in Muskegon meant committing to a one-hour drive each way to campus. Still, Thomas knew the opportunity was worth the effort. “GRCC offered so much in their program,” Thomas said. “The details of their accreditation offering both personal chef and pastry certificates really gave you so many choices. If you didn’t want to do the full associate degree, you still had options. It felt like you could really tailor the program to your needs.” The long commute quickly became part of a routine she grew to love. “I drove an hour each way and loved getting up every morning and coming to school,” she said. “I enjoyed every minute of it. It changed my life.” Finding the Support to Succeed During her first semester, Thomas learned about opportunities that made the transition to a full-time student feel more accessible. She applied for Michigan Reconnect and worked with the Occupational Support department at GRCC. “When I began classes, I was low income,” Thomas said. “I made an appointment with the Occupational Support department and they immediately helped me find opportunities to alleviate the financial burden. I received a scholarship for my books one semester and qualified for Michigan Reconnect to cover tuition. They also gave me gas cards to help with my commute.” With the support of her partner and the college, Thomas completed the program with both pastry and personal chef certifications along with her associate degree.  Beyond financial support, the encouragement she received made a lasting impact. “If I had a question, GRCC was ready to help,” Thomas said. “You could feel the faculty and staff wanted you to succeed — they genuinely cared. I’ve never felt that at a school or job. I felt empowered by their willingness rather than any shame that I needed assistance.” Along the way, she credits the Secchia faculty with preparing her for the realities of the culinary industry. “I felt like I could run circles around anybody with how much knowledge the professors provided in every class. They don’t gatekeep information. They want to show you everything they can to help you become a better chef so you can get the most out of your career.” “I’m constantly pulling from my education and training,” she added. “My baking and pastry and food science classes come into play every day.” The Next Chapter Thomas’ hard work paid off even before graduation. During an internship at a ski resort in Idaho, her skills and dedication stood out, leading to a full-time job offer after completing the program. Thomas plans to take online classes through Ferris State University to earn her bachelor’s degree while working at the resort. Inspired by her experience at GRCC, she hopes to one day return and give back to the program that helped reshape her future.  “I want to be a part of the program that genuinely made my life better,” Thomas said.  She hopes to finish the degree in less than two years and eventually return to GRCC as an instructor. “I want to make the same difference in others’ lives that GRCC made in mine,” Thomas added.  Turning Hurdles Into Motivation Returning to college later in life can feel intimidating for many students. For Thomas, however, the timing was exactly right. “I can see now that I didn’t really have a clear direction the first time I tried college,” Thomas said. “If I had taken this path 10 years ago, I don’t know that I would have been as successful or focused.”  Instead, the challenges she faced along the way helped strengthen her determination. “I really think it comes down to individual timing and your drive.  I had to experience the hardships and hurdles to be ready to focus and work hard. I don’t take any of it for granted and feel grateful to be where I am now.” Today, Thomas hopes her story encourages others who may be considering going back to school to confidently take a chance on themselves.  “Find your happiness and don’t let go,” Thomas said. “Find the people that support you and lift you up, and don’t feel shame. It’s easy to feel down on yourself, but you have to push through that and find what makes you happy. GRCC had many resources and people available to help me find what I needed — whether it was financial assistance or someone to talk to about mental health, they were available. Use what they provide. It truly changed my life.” Visit the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education web page to learn more about culinary programs and areas of study.  This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell.

April 22, 2026 Grand Rapids Learning Center (GRLC) is West Michigan’s only high school located on a college campus. It’s a place where high schoolers work toward their diplomas, earn college credits and gain skills for the next step in life. GRLC is made possible through a close-knit partnership between Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). The program’s office and classrooms are located on GRCC’s DeVos Campus in downtown Grand Rapids. If you visit the GRLC office, it’s not uncommon to encounter high school seniors with 25 to 30 college credits already completed. “That’s what makes this program so unique,” said GRLC principal Rodney Brown. “We’re offering a non-traditional high school experience and helping students take ownership of their goals and matriculate into college or careers.”  GRLC Offers an Alternate High School Experience GRLC, originally named the “Learning Corner” was founded in 2003 as a credit recovery program. David Selmon, recently retired dean of Strategic Outreach at GRCC, and Kurt Johnson, former executive director of athletics at GRPS, were instrumental to the center’s success. GRLC became a high school in 2011 and has continued to support 16 to 19-year olds who are looking for an alternative option to a traditional high school experience. The program serves students who may be working to catch up on high school coursework or who want to work ahead. Students complete their high school requirements via an online learning platform and may dual enroll at GRCC to take college classes. “It’s a great option for students who want to get their high school diploma, but also want smaller class sizes and a head start on their future,” said Brown. “Our schedules are flexible and students love the opportunity to become more familiar with a college campus and earn college credits.” One GRLC senior, CJ, will graduate this year with a high school diploma and 36 college credits. CJ is a tutor in GRCC’s Biology Learning Center and plans to attend Georgia State to major in biomedical sciences. Stories like this are common around the GRLC offices. Brown shared that two students last year both graduated with 30 college credits. Students Build Skills and Confidence   A key part of a student’s experience at GRLC is acclimating to a college campus and learning to navigate higher education environments. “Most of our students come here with a goal,” said Brown. “Seeing themselves on a college campus and taking college-level courses is a big confidence booster. They feel like they belong here.” Along with taking college classes, students work with dedicated advisors who assist with academic planning and offer social and emotional support. This level of personalized engagement equips students with highly transferrable college credits and valuable life skills. “Credits from GRCC will transfer almost anywhere,” said Cheryl Garner, director of K-12 Partnerships at GRCC. “Students from GRLC are transferring to prestigious four-year institutions as sophomores with two semesters already completed. Not only that, they’re comfortable in a college environment and have the confidence to take ownership of their education and goals.” “I don’t believe there’s a more valuable skill than the ability to figure it out,” said Brown. “Our program helps students gain the skills and confidence to figure things out. Skills that will transfer to other environments and experiences. We’re giving them a safe space to do that and support to get them where they’re going.” Community Collaboration Supports Student Success In many ways, GRLC represents an ideal partnership. Grand Rapids Public Schools serves over 14,000 students at 40 schools. GRCC sits at the heart of its service area in downtown Grand Rapids and has one of the most accessible community college campuses around. “It’s easy to get to campus,” said Garner. “It’s close by and GRCC students can take the Rapid for free. Once they’re here, they have access to many free campus resources including tutoring, counseling, community events and even a free membership at the Ford Fieldhouse.” GRLC students eligible for the Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarship receive additional financial and academic support. The scholarship covers the cost of GRCC tuition, fees, textbooks and additional on-campus expenses, as well as a team to provide individualized support. And with the recent expansion, students who earn an associate degree from GRCC will be eligible for up to $14,000 per academic year to continue their education at Ferris State University or Grand Valley State University. “We’re all here to help students succeed,” said Brown. “Our community has come together in a unique way to support student success and we will continue building pathways that help students confidently reach their goals.”  High school students in grades 10-12 who are interested in securing a place in this unique high school experience may call (616) 819-1045 or fill out the online application available on the GRLC web page .